Things to Do in Kyoto, Japan: Landmarks, Quiet Temples & Travel Advice
Kyoto is one of the most visited places
in Japan and for good reason. It’s temples, gardens and historic streets
make it feel like taking a step back in time. I visited in autumn when the leaves were at their peak
and the whole city looked like a painting. A painting, of course, with a few thousand
other people in it. But no matter when you visit spring,
summer, autumn or winter, Kyoto is special. With over a thousand temples
and endless sightseeing options. Planning a trip can feel overwhelming. That’s why in this video, I’ll take you
through some of the most famous landmarks, as well as a few hidden gems recommended
by a friend who’s lived here for years. Along the way, I’ll share tips
to make your visit smoother and show you
some of the best places to slow down, take a breath,
and really enjoy the beauty of Kyoto. Kyoto is home to over 1600 Buddhist temples and 400
Shinto shrines, which means you could spend a lifetime
visiting them all. For a brief visit you’ll probably want to at least hit
some of the most famous spots. After all, they’re famous for good reason. I started with Kiyomizudera one of Kyoto’s
most recognizable landmarks. The autumn colors were at their peak,
and the view from the Oku-no-in area was spectacular. Looking back on the pagoda and main temple
with Kyoto City in the background. Here are some tips to help you capture
amazing souvenir photos. If you can use a polarizing filter, do it. It helps to reduce glare and brings out
richer colors in buildings and foliage any time of year. Or if you’re using a smartphone. Don’t just take wide shots. Zoom in to capture details like temple
rooftops peeking through the leaves. This is a great way to crop out
the hundreds of people who are also visiting these spots. Next was Byodo-in, a bit south of central Kyoto. It’s the temple
you might recognize from Japan’s ¥10 coin. It was more crowded than I expected,
mostly with school groups making the pilgrimage
to this historic site. But the temple’s reflection in the water
makes for some of Kyoto’s most iconic photos. And Byodo-in is in the town of Uji,
which is famous for matcha green tea. It’s a good place to pick up
your traditional green tea souvenirs on the way back to central Kyoto there’s Fushimi Inari Taisha, famous for its thousands of bright orange
torii gates. If you’ve seen photos of Kyoto,
you’ve probably seen this place. But there’s the thing. So has everyone else. Instagram usually makes it look like
you’ll have the whole place to yourself. In reality, you and 100 other people all trying to take the perfect shot
will be jostling for space. Some people were waiting patiently, others had simply given up
and decided to embrace the photobomb. Pro tip if you can, come early
in the morning. It’s also just nice to walk around and the further up
you go, the less people you will see. Many people don’t go beyond the lower
gates. I’d love to tell you I walked the entire
route, but let’s be real. There are a lot of stairs
and I had temples to see and food to eat. Priorities. Kyoto is famous for its temples,
but if you want to see a different side of its history,
Nijo Castle is worth visiting. Built in the early 1600s,
it was the official residence of the Tokugawa shoguns
when they stayed in Kyoto. The highlight here is the Honmaru Palace, which reopened in late 2024
after years of restoration work. The interiors are incredibly detailed,
with lavish gold leaf covered walls and elaborate paintings
that reflect the power of the shogunate. Unfortunately,
photos and videos aren’t allowed inside, so I can’t share any of what we saw,
but it’s worth seeing in person if you have a chance. Now, beyond the famous sights,
I visited a few quieter spots that felt like hidden treasures. Shinnyo-do had some of the most stunning
autumn colors I saw in my trip, and unlike major temples,
it wasn’t crowded. If you’re using Google Maps to get here,
be aware that it might take you up a steep back entrance
instead of the main gate. If you want an easier route,
look for the temple’s parking lot, which leads you
to the main entrance instead. Honen-in felt almost untouched by time. The moss covered gate
makes it feel like nature and architecture are blending together. It’s quiet, secluded and perfect if you want to experience Kyoto’s
tranquil side. Be careful. Again, Google Maps may lead you up
to a side entrance, making it easy to miss the main gate with its scenic
approach to the inner gate. Because these are hidden gems,
you can’t just follow the crowds to find the most common route. Hogon-in is a sub temple of the massive ten Tenryu-ji complex,
and it’s tucked away in western Kyoto. Walking up to the temple,
you’ll pass dozens of small stone statues, each with its own unique
expression. It’s a peaceful stroll that sets the tone
for the beautiful garden waiting inside. The garden itself is one of the most
beautifully designed I’ve seen in Kyoto, with towering maple trees creating
a canopy of red and gold in autumn. The natural flow of the landscape
makes it feel almost like a painting. If you have time, there’s also a tea room where you can sit
and enjoy a matcha green tea and a sweet bite
while taking in the garden scenery. After walking around so much in Kyoto,
it was the perfect place to take a quiet break, sip
some matcha and pretend just for a moment that I lived a slower,
more contemplative life. You know, the kind where you can
appreciate green moss instead of emails. Sanzen-in, located in the mountains
north of Kyoto, is one of the most serene
and beautiful temples I visited. It has a long history
and a rare distinction. It’s a monzeki temple,
which means it was traditionally led by abbots
from Japan’s imperial or noble families. You can see the imperial family
Chrysanthemum insignia on the temple details,
and this connection to the aristocracy made it a temple of great cultural
and spiritual importance. As you walk through the grounds,
you’ll find lush moss gardens, ancient cedar trees and tiny Jizo statues
nestled into the landscape. It’s the kind of place
that feels almost untouched by time. And one of the best things about Sanzen-in is that it’s designed
for quiet appreciation. There are spacious tatami rooms
where you can sit, relax and take in the view of the garden. After walking through so many temples
in Kyoto, this was the perfect place to just slow down,
breathe and enjoy the surroundings. Just be aware
that the only way to get here is by crowded busses
and the bit of a walk uphill after that. Now Kyoto’s bus system is generally great, except when you realize
you’ve signed up for a 1.5 hour standing room only workout
you didn’t know you needed. Coming back from Sanzen-in
if you can get off early at Yase, it’s the first train station
you’ll come to and take the train instead. It’s way better. Now, one of Kyoto’s most iconic experiences
has got to be visiting the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, even at sunrise at 7 a.m. there were already people there,
but it was much better than going later in the morning, when you feel like
you’re swimming in a sea of tourists. From there you can take the Sagano Scenic
Train, a popular old train ride which follows the river
through the mountains. Try to book your tickets far in advance
through a travel ticketing site. The train ride is popular
and seats fill up really quickly. If you’re visiting in autumn. I’d recommend trying to get a seat on
the left side of the train in the morning. The train switches sides of the river
partway through the journey, but on the left side of the train,
the morning sunlight hits the leaves from behind, making them
glow bright reds and oranges. It’s one of the best ways
to take in Kyoto’s natural beauty that the Japanese have appreciated
for centuries. In late autumn and winter,
the sun sets early, around 4:30 p.m. and many temples
start closing their gates before then. But that doesn’t mean the day is over. A great way to spend your evenings in
Kyoto is by visiting one of the many seasonal temple light up
events around the city. Toji was
the most impressive light up event. Everything is fully illuminated, making it much easier to see and photograph. Arrive early or go a little bit later
after the gates open. There was a massive line to get in,
but it moved steadily. Kodai-ji had great lighting on the gardens
and temple buildings. The bamboo forest at Kodai-ji
was even lit up to look like there were thousands of fireflies
dancing around the grove. Nearby Entoku-in has a wonderful lit up garden that you can enjoy
from a traditional viewing room designed to frame
the autumn leaves like a living painting. Kyoto is known for its refined, delicate cuisine, which is great
unless you’re really hungry. One of my first meals in
Kyoto was at Obuya, a small spot inside of Kyoto Station
serving ochazuke that’s rice topped with seafood and lightly poached
in a broth that you pour over. It was simple, delicate and delicious. But let’s just say if you’re starving,
this won’t be your final stop. The upside — a lighter meal
means your stomach won’t weigh you down while you’re sightseeing,
and you can snack along the way if something catches your eye,
which, trust me, will happen. For something more filling, I had dinner one night at Gion Tanto,
a small okonomiyaki spot in Gion, a famous nightlife district of Kyoto
popular with both locals and tourists. Okonomiyaki is often
called a savory Japanese pancake with vegetables and various seafood
or meat fillings. Their okonomiyaki was perfectly crispy
on the outside, soft inside, and packed with flavor. Honestly, just point at a random item on the menu
and you probably won’t be disappointed. Then there’s Inoda’s Coffee, a
well known Kyoto café famous for its beef katsu sandwich. Most people think of pork or chicken
when they hear “katsu” but Inoda’s serves beef katsu. I had to try it because it’s a local Kyoto
favorite, and while tasty, it doesn’t have the bold seared beef flavor
you might expect from a steak or a burger. It’s kind of like beef in stealth mode crispy, refined, and kind of sneaking up
on your taste buds. Now, before wrapping up,
here are a few travel tips that can make your Kyoto trip
even smoother. If you’re traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen bullet train, try to get a seat on the right
side of the train. On clear days, you will get a brief but spectacular view
of Mount Fuji along the way. It’s also really helpful to have an IC card,
like a Suica or a Pasmo, so that you can get at one of the airports
after arriving in Japan. Use it to simply tap your way onto trains, subways, and busses in and around Kyoto
and the rest of Japan. It makes getting around so much easier
than dealing with individual tickets and coins
every time you ride. Kyoto has a lot of temples, and
many of them charge small entrance fees. It doesn’t seem like much at first,
but it does add up quickly if you’re visiting multiple places
in a day. I’d budget around 3000 to 5000 yen per day for transportation and temple visits. And before you go,
be sure to check if any of the temples on your list
require advanced reservations. You don’t want to be disappointed
after arriving. A lot of visitors hope to see
and photograph a geisha in Kyoto, but the reality is that seeing a geisha
and their younger apprentice, maiko, is pretty rare,
and they’re usually busy going to work. Even if you see one, it’s difficult to get a photo
without being intrusive. A much easier and more respectful option is to photograph
tourists dressed in kimono. Many visitors rent kimono
and wear them while exploring Kyoto, and many don’t
seem to mind posing for photos. They make for great souvenir Kyoto images.
And one of the best pieces of advice I can give is don’t be afraid to explore. Kyoto is so picturesque
that you can have an amazing experience just by wandering around
and letting curiosity lead you. Some of my favorite memories
came from unexpected discoveries and chance encounters. After three days in Kyoto,
I had only scratched the surface with over 2000 temples and shrines
I could probably move here and still not see them all. But you know what that just means I’ll have to come back again. And if you’re thinking about visiting
Japan, be sure to check out my Hokkaido video for a look
at Japan’s northernmost main island.
Planning a trip to Kyoto, Japan? In this travel guide, I share what I discovered during a 3-day visit to Kyoto — including both world-famous sights and peaceful hidden gems that most tourists miss.
From temples like Kiyomizudera and Fushimi Inari to quiet treasures like Sanzen-in and Honen-in, this video is filled with photo tips, sightseeing advice, and personal recommendations to help make your Kyoto trip unforgettable.
Whether you’re visiting in spring, autumn, or any season, this guide will help you avoid the crowds, discover beauty in unexpected places, and travel smarter.
Shout out to @MattsTravelTips who I had the pleasure of bumping into at Gion Tanto. Thanks for helping to make my own trip memorable!
Highlights in This Video:
– Kiyomizudera, Fushimi Inari, Nijo Castle, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
– Sanzen-in, Shinnyo-do, Honen-in, Hogon-in, Entoku-in, Byodo-in, To-ji
– Travel tips and budgeting
– Honest food experiences, from matcha tea to beef katsu
Filmed in autumn, but useful year-round.
If you found this video helpful, please consider liking and subscribing!
Got questions about Kyoto? Leave a comment — I’d love to help.
00:00 // Kyoto travel guide
01:08 // Famous Temples & Shrines
03:29 // Nijo Castle
04:12 // Hidden Gems Many People Overlook
06:18 // Picturesque and Quiet Sanzen-in
07:59 // Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Sagano Scenic Railway
09:03 // Sightseeing after dark
10:13 // Kyoto food stops
11:51 // Tips to make your Kyoto trip better
#Kyoto #JapanTravel #HiddenKyoto
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